Three-star Brennan Johnson is enjoying his last bit of summer before Highland Springs (VA) kicks off their fall camp on August 5 “Just trying to get the team ready to compete to where the standard of the program is. I think everybody gets that mentality booster that you have to win, but I kind of have that ‘senior’ feeling right now.” Whether that rest will also include another visit remains to be seen. Both Maryland and Virginia Tech plan to host a handful of targets this upcoming Saturday, July 27, but Johnson added “as of now, I’m not sure which one I’m going to or if I’m going to one depending how the week goes.” The versatile defender is bouncing between a top two of Maryland and Virginia Tech after taking official visits to both schools in June, but he isn’t completely shutting the door on outside interest. “As of now, I’m between those two. It could change if a different school starts recruiting me, so it’s a lot of factors that play into it. South Carolina wanted me to come on an but I don’t think I will because of the timing of it.” As Johnson takes his time between the two regional schools, he knows both schools offer ample familiarity. His older brother, Braylon Johnson, is one of six current Hokies who once played at Highland Springs while his father, Loren Johnson, also suited up for Virginia Tech in the mid-90s. As for Maryland, current freshman quarterback Khristian Martin played four years with Johnson as the two teammates remain close friends. That comfort that Johnson got on his official visits to both schools still resonates with him a month later. “I feel the same way as Tech. Khristian , I played all four years with him so I’ve been around him all through high school. just being around him and the leadership he brings. And the same at Tech. I played with like four of five guys who were on that state championship team with me so it’s a lot of leadership there too. It’s a lot of factors. I know I’ll know people at Maryland, know people at Tech so those play a big factor. That’s why it’s a hard decision for me right now.” Assistant Latrell Scott has spearheaded efforts for Maryland, not pressuring the three-star target as he finalizes his process in its final stage. “The relationship between me and him is very smooth. I talk to him like he’s my uncle, honestly,” Johnson added of his relationship with Scott. How Johnson fits into both schools differs, though. While he got a chance to sit in meetings with safeties coach Zac Spavital in College Park, the Hokies view Johnson as a potential linebacker or nickel depending on his development. “Coach Marve can see me developing into a WILL. They also see me developing at nickel – at nickel, I’ll probably get on the field a little earlier. Everything with Tech is the weight. Coach Pry told me I can go in there and play at 205 at linebacker. If I’m flying around he won’t have any type of problem. So yeah that’s cool but realistically, playing against these big schools at 205, Power Four schools, 205 might not cut it but I can get on the field at nickel at that,” Johnson said about the Hokies. “For Maryland, me being a safety and being 205 is perfect in the Big Ten isn’t really a problem, especially as a freshman.” After admitting it would be a “tough decision” to separate his two suitors, Johnson added that a summer decision may not come to fruition anymore. “Right now, it’s up in the air. I could be halfway through the season and decide that I need to drop everything, so there isn’t really a time limit on it for me.” Brennan Johnson is not yet rated by On3 but is a three-star and 87 overall by 247Sports. Related Links
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